Boston based Coast Guard Cutter Seneca returns home

BOSTON — The 100-person crew of the Boston-based Coast Guard Cutter Seneca returned home, Thursday, after a 65-day Living Marine Resources Law Enforcement patrol off the central and northeastern United States’ coast.

During the patrol the Seneca crew conducted two search and rescue cases, towed two vessels safely to port, participated in the investigation of a boat capsizing where there was a loss of life and conducted more than 50 law enforcement boardings to ensure vessels were compliance with commercial fishing vessel safety and fishery regulations.

On Dec. 8, 2011, the Seneca crew towed the Paul Michelle along with its seven crewmen through 20-25 knot winds and 5-8 foot seas after the scalloper lost power approximately 26 miles south of Montauk, N.Y. Click HERE for the original release and photographs for this case.

On Jan.12, 2012, the Seneca crew aided another disabled vessel when the shaft of the 71-foot Olympic Javelin broke, leaving it’s four man crew became stranded in 8-10 foot seas 40 miles east of Chincoteague Inlet, Va. After a nearly 60-mile transit with the fishing vessel in tow, the Seneca crew transferred the Olympic Javelin to a commercial salvage company in the vicinity of Cape May, NJ. Click HERE for the original release and photograph for this case.

“We are very happy to return to Boston and reunite with our families and friends after a long but productive patrol,” said Cmdr. Charles Fosse, the commanding officer of the 270-foot Seneca. “The winter weather off New England and the Mid-Atlantic states offered challenges daily, but Seneca’s crew persevered in their normal fashion and did an outstanding job. We are proud of our involvement in search and rescue cases, including towing two disabled fishing vessels to safety in offshore storms, as well as our many positive interactions with fishing vessel crews during boardings from Cape Hatteras to Coastal Maine.”